Man rehabilitates mysterious baby creature, finds lifelong friend

Maximilien Weinstein

Staff Editor

3sgtejeff / Imgur

Jeff Longo was told he couldn't save it. But with determination, attention and love, the creature he found close to death on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., blossomed into an adorable, affectionate animal — and a full-fledged member of the family. The baby turned out to be a southern flying squirrel, a fairly common breed throughout the United States.

Longo chronicled the animal's journey in a Reddit post that went viral online. Scroll down through the pictures below for the full story.

"I posted pictures on Reddit that day and had a bunch of know-it-alls tell me she would die, because I am not an animal rehabber," Longo wrote. But a mixture of puppy formula and heavy cream did the trick in nursing the critter back to health.

Soon enough, Biscuits the flying squirrel acclimated to life in the Longo household, and it seems the dogs enjoyed her presence as well. "I just have to watch them so they don't accidentally squish her," Longo told the Daily Mail jokingly.

Whenever he is present, Longo lets Biscuits out of her cage and lets her explore the house. He told the Daily Mail he has covered most of his furniture with cloth in order to allow the squirrel to grab on and crawl around.

Pictures of the animal comfortably nestled in Daddy's shirt pocket are quite likely the most adorable in the gallery. But possibly even better than that is the video Longo posted of Biscuits scarfing down a pecan, her favorite food, while one of the dogs watches curiously. You can watch said video below.